Join us for a Bond Hill Branch “Birthday Bash”

MEDIA CONTACT: Phyllis.Hegner@CincinnatiLibrary.org or (513) 369-4571
One Year Later - It’s Time to Celebrate Success!
Join us for a Bond Hill Branch “Birthday Bash”
Thursday, August 7 (3:00 – 6:00 p.m.)
PHOTO CAPTION: The community is invited to a special Birthday
Bash on Thursday, August 7 from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. to celebrate the
Bond Hill Branch Library’s first year of success. Gearing up for the
celebration are from left Rufus the Library Reading Dog and Bond
Hill Branch staff members Marni Blanken, Glenn Riley, Sherrie
Holloway, Stephanie Clark, Holbrook Sample (Branch Manager),
Anne Sawyer, Kate Toebbe, and Theresa Mosley. ►
July 21, 2008: Cincinnati, OH - As the Bond Hill Branch
Library turns one in early August, there are plenty of
reasons to celebrate. The innovative arrangement between
the Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County and the
Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action Agency
(CAA) is the first of its kind in the U.S. This unique partnership has brought
the community expanded services and resources in one centralized
location. The new branch, which merged the much smaller former Bond Hill
and Roselawn branch libraries into one larger and better equipped facility,
has flourished.
The 12,000 sq. ft. branch has 27 computers, all with Internet access and 15
with Microsoft productivity software (Word, Excel and PowerPoint). In addition to offering convenient, selfservice checkout and express holds, the new branch is open more hours than the two previous branches
and is fully handicapped accessible. It also offers a wider selection of materials, an expanded children’s
area, a separate teen area, comfortable reading sections, quiet study areas, and a separate program
space—all available in a state-of-the-art facility that is spacious, open and bright.
All of these enhancements and more have drawn an enormously positive response from the community that
is clearly reflected in its use. Customers borrowed more than 93,000 items from the branch during the first
six months of 2008—more than 21% over the combined circulation of the two former branches in the same
period in 2007. Nearly 12,000 children, teens and adults also took advantage of the outstanding selection of
free programs offered from January – June of 2008. During this time, Bond Hill presented 387 programs—
more than any of the Library’s other 39 branch locations.
“The public library has proven to be an essential partner in CAA's commitment to bring opportunity and an
improved quality of life to individuals, to families, and to the entire community,” said Gwen L. Robinson,
CAA President & CEO. “The educational and technological opportunities that the Library offers are indeed
cause for celebration.”
Contributors Make the Difference - Funding to cover the $750,000 cost to finish the space in CAA’s
facility was all provided by private support including a lead gift of $100,000 from Carl H. Lindner, and
$100,000 each from the Jacob G. Schmidlapp Trust, Fifth Third Bank, trustee; Helen T. Ehlers Trust, and an
anonymous gift through the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati. Additional support was provided by a $150,000
allowance from the CAA for building out the space, a bequest in excess of $100,000 from Norma Holt,
$25,000 grants from both the Farmer Family Foundation and an anonymous foundation, as well as a
bequest from Dorothea H. Fine and combined contributions received from the Library Foundation’s Annual
Fund.
Details of Event Activities on next page: ▼
Bond Hill –pg. 2
“It was only through the generosity of our contributors that the new branch was made possible,” said Kim
Fender, Executive Director of the Public Library. “As the Library’s budget continues to tighten, it’s reassuring
to know that supporters such as these recognize the importance of investing in the future of their
community. A year later we’re proud to report that their investment has paid dividends back to the
community by enabling us to provide a first-rate facility that offers more resources and services that our
customers are progressively using.”
BOND HILL BRANCH “BIRTHDAY BASH” HIGHLIGHTS:
During the celebration activities for all ages will take place in multiple areas simultaneously on the plaza
located near Community Action Agency’s lobby entrance, inside the CAA’s lobby, and inside the Bond Hill
Branch Library.
Join the party! Join the family fun! All Free!
•
Team Cincinnati Performance with five of the winners of the "Clash of Choirs" TV
competition, which was led by pop rock star Nick Lachey (4:00 p.m. inside the branch)
•
Karaoke Competition & Music - hosted by 101.1 WIZF-FM – “The WIZ” & Team Cincinnati
(open to all ages from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.)
•
Fun Games & Activities - in a festival-like midway
•
Ice Cream – (courtesy of United Dairy Farmers)
& Refreshments – while supplies last
•
Community Booths – staffed by area
organizations
•
Rufus the Library Reading Dog – (photos at
3:00 & 4:00 p.m.)
•
Kids Crafts – Decorate a photo frame. Make
Birthday cards for the Branch.
•
Birthday Buzz – Add your comments to our “Community Birthday Card.”
(inside CAA’s lobby)
•
Dance, Dance Revolution – in the Teen Scene (at 3:00 & 5:00 p.m.)
The Bond Hill Branch “Birthday Bash” is made possible with support from the Friends of
the Public Library.
Information: Log onto www.CincinnatiLibrary.org then click on “Library News” closer to event time for
information or call the Bond Hill Branch Library at (513) 369-4445.